"There's all kinds of permutations underneath that that make it difficult to figure out — I don't think anyone really knows — specifically where the cuts will come yet," Soloway said. "But what happens Jan. 2, assuming nothing changes in terms of sequestration, is the hammer comes down."

The reductions under sequestration run down through agency budgets to what's known as the program, project and activity level, Soloway said. The Office of Management and Budget has yet to provide an explanation of that level. However, by Sept. 8, the President is required to submit a detailed report to Congress explaining how the automatic cuts will be applied.

"Once OMB defines what that level is, beneath it, there will be some flexibility, some latitude, for the agencies to hopefully do this in a strategic way," Soloway said, as opposed to cutting every project or program by the same amount.

"That would be the worst thing, and I think most government managers would agree," he said.